Patent US3742402A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3742402A
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Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication
Assignee: Heinemann Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-10-01
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1990-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker including a case which houses a fixedly mounted stationary contact, a movable contact carried by a movable arm, a handle link, and a collapsible linkage mechanism coupled between the movable arm and the handle link, the linkage mechanism including a collapsible toggle assembly. A pair of unitary switches are supported within an auxiliary cavity of the case and are activated to indicate whether the circuit breaker is ''''on,'''' ''''off'''' or electrically tripped ''''off.'''' The circuit breaker contacts are opened in response either to rotation of the handle link, in which event the linkage mechanism undergoes a first motion along a first path, or to the occurrence of an electrical overload, in which instance the linkage mechanism undergoes a second motion along a second path and different from said first motion. A sensing arrangement responds to the distinct motion of the linkage mechanism when moving to the contacts ''''open'''' position due to an electrical overload. The sensing arrangement comprises an actuating lever pivotally carried by the frame of the circuit breaker and having an upper portion adjacent the linkage mechanism, the upper portion forming a U-shaped space defined by upper and lower arms, and a lower portion for engaging a switch means upon rotation. During the first motion, a driving member, secured to the toggle assembly of the linkage mechanism, freely enters the U-shaped space of the lever, but during said second motion the driving member engages the upper arm, thereby rotating the lower portion of the lever into holding engagement with one of the unitary switches. When the contacts are subsequently closed by rotating the handle link, the actuating lever is reset by abutment between the driving member and the lower arm of the lever. The other of said switches responds to the movement of the movable arm in opening and closing the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 R Nicol
- 👤 R Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/46; H01H71/465; H01H2071/467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to trip ''''open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically tripped ''''open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said sensing means further comprising a driving member carried by said collapsible mechanism,and said driving member engaging and moving said lever when said collapsible mechanism travels through said second path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to trip ''''open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically tripped ''''open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said sensing means further comprising a driving member carried by said collapsible mechanism,and said driving member engaging and moving said lever when said collapsible mechanism travels through said second path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said lever has upper and lower portions and is pivotally supported therebetween, said lower portion is positioned adjacent said indicator, said upper portion is positioned adjacent said collapsible mechanism, and said lever is positioned for rotation into engagement with said indicator in response to the abutment of said driving member with said upper portion during travel of said collapsible mechanism through said second path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said upper portion of said lever has upper and lower arms which partially define an approximately U-shaped space, said upper arm being positioned for engagement with said driving member during travel of said collapsible mechanism through said second path, and said lower arm being positioned for contacting said driving member during movement of said collapsible mechanism from said contacts ''''open'''' position to said contacts ''''closed'''' position after said circuit breaker has been tripped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes a first auxiliary electrical switch actuated by said lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
213 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to ''''trip open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, and indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically ''''tripped open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said indicator means including a first auxiliary electrical switch actuated by said lever, and a second auxiliary electrical switch for indicating whether said contacts are ''''open'''' or ''''closed.''''
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
213 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to ''''trip open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, and indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically ''''tripped open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said indicator means including a first auxiliary electrical switch actuated by said lever, and a second auxiliary electrical switch for indicating whether said contacts are ''''open'''' or ''''closed.''''
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second auxiliary switches each comprise independent units supported by said case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said first and second switches are in side-by-side relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination recited in claim 7 further including electrical lamps coupled to said first and second switches and to a source of electrical potential for illumination in response to the actuation of said switches so as to indicate whether said contacts are ''''open,'''' ''''closed'''' or electrically tripped ''''open.''''
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
226 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to ''''trip open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically ''''tripped open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said indicator means including a first auxiliary electrical switch actuated by said lever, and retaining means on said lever and said switch for maintaining said switch actuated after said contacts are in the contacts ''''open'''' position and said collapsible mechanism is reset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
226 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts enclosed by said case, a collapsible mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, operating means to operate said collapsible mechanism to open and close said contacts, a device for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to ''''trip open'''' said contacts, said collapsible mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path when moving from said contacts ''''closed'''' position to said contacts ''''open'''' position due to the occurrence of said predetermined condition, and sensing means movable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position, indicator means separate from and operated by said sensing means to indicate that said contacts are in the electrically ''''tripped open'''' position, said sensing means comprising a lever rotatable in response to said second motion from an initial position to an actuated position to operate said indicator means, and said indicator means including a first auxiliary electrical switch actuated by said lever, and retaining means on said lever and said switch for maintaining said switch actuated after said contacts are in the contacts ''''open'''' position and said collapsible mechanism is reset.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination recited in claim 9 further including reset means operating in response to the subsequent movement of said collapsible mechanism to the contacts ''''closed'''' position to release said lever from engagement with said switch and return it to its initial position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination recited in claim 10 wherein said retaining means comprises an operating button located on said first switch for actuating said switch, said button being biased toward, but movable away from, said lever, and a detent located on said portion of said lever, whereby upon rotation of said lever toward said switch, said button becomes trapped within said detent to thereby retain said switch in an actuated state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said reset means includes a spring for biasing said lever toward said initial position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts, a circuit breaker assembly enclosed within said case for moving said contacts between ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions, said assembly including a colLapsible linkage, means for collapsing said linkage in response to a preselected electrical condition, and means for automatically resetting said linkage subsequent to the collapse thereof, two pivotal lever parts pivoted about a common axis and mounted within said case, said assembly being engageable with one of the lever parts during electrical tripping thereof and engageable with the other lever part during movement from the contacts ''''off'''' to the contacts ''''on'''' positions subsequent to being electrically tripped, and unitary switch means carried by said case and responsive to the movement of said assembly and of said lever for indicating whether said circuit breaker is ''''on,'''' ''''off'''' or electrically ''''tripped off.''''
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a pair of contacts, a circuit breaker assembly enclosed within said case for moving said contacts between ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions, said assembly including a colLapsible linkage, means for collapsing said linkage in response to a preselected electrical condition, and means for automatically resetting said linkage subsequent to the collapse thereof, two pivotal lever parts pivoted about a common axis and mounted within said case, said assembly being engageable with one of the lever parts during electrical tripping thereof and engageable with the other lever part during movement from the contacts ''''off'''' to the contacts ''''on'''' positions subsequent to being electrically tripped, and unitary switch means carried by said case and responsive to the movement of said assembly and of said lever for indicating whether said circuit breaker is ''''on,'''' ''''off'''' or electrically ''''tripped off.''''
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The circuit breaker recited in claim 13 wherein, said unitary switch means comprises two unitary auxiliary switches, one of said switches for indicating whether said circuit breaker is ''''on'''' or ''''off,'''' and the other of said switches for indicating whether said circuit breaker is electrically tripped ''''off.''''
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |